Pilot Debrief

CESSNA T210N near Coeur d'Alene, ID — 2010-09-17

Final reportWPR10FA459
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Date
2010-09-17
Location
Coeur d'Alene, ID, USA
Airport
COE
Aircraft
CESSNA T210N
Registration
N111NA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot’s continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain clearance with mountainous terrain while maneuvering in an area of low cloud ceilings.

NTSB narrative

During a cross-country flight, the airplane collided with mountainous terrain at an elevation of 3,300 feet mean sea level (msl). Radar data initially identified the flight at 12,000 feet msl on a direct path to the pilot’s planned destination. About 20 miles southeast of the airport, the track indicated a descending left turn to the west-southwest followed by multiple 360 degree turns. The track then proceeded northeast over mountainous terrain, climbing and descending between 3,300 and 3,600 feet msl. The track indicated multiple 180-degree turns before the radar data terminated in the general vicinity where the wreckage was located. Around the time of the accident, reported weather at the destination airport (14 miles north) included cloud layers at 3,900 feet and 6,500 feet. The pilot did not hold an instrument rating, and it is likely that he was maneuvering around weather when the collision occurred. The pilot did not obtain a flight service station (FSS) weather briefing for the flight. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided descending into mountainous terrain without instrument rating.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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